As Nigeria marks its 61 anniversary as an independent nation, Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah has called for a collective effort in raising the country to a height of envy in the comity of nations.
According to the Minister, the country has made tremendous efforts in surging on as a nation of common purpose despite obvious drawbacks.
In a congratulatory letter in commemoration of the country’s Independence on Friday, Ogah observed that Nigeria has had a chequered history since its freedom from colonial rule, insisting that the time to leverage on our unifying factors to build a Nigeria of our dream is now.
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He said, “As a country, we have had a mixture of positive and negative in our 61 years journey of nationhood. It has been a movement of variegated experiences which has made us even stronger.
“We have a basket of milestones to be thankful for, especially for the peaceful co-existence and unity of the country, the abundant human and material resources that have given us a flavour of uniqueness.
“Thankfully, the administration of the day is making frantic and visible efforts in strengthening to bond of our unity as a country. This can be made more better through the collective contribution of all patriots.
“I, therefore, appeal that we shun destruction and unprovoked killing of fellow citizens. As a people, we will be doing the generations to come a great deal of disservice if we do not lay a legacy of love, tolerance, and patriotism.
“The Independence anniversary avails is opportunity to do right today what we did wrong yesterday for the assurance of a better tomorrow. We must be our brother’s keeper, shun hate and embrace brotherliness.”